Baby who died in day care was SIDS victim

BRANDON -- The 7-week-old boy who died last month at an unlicensed home day care was a victim of sudden infant death syndrome, an autopsy said.

Damon Sykes died July 23 at the Brandon home of James and Linda Robertson after being put down for a nap, authorities said. Autopsy results released Monday found, as investigators expected, no signs of foul play.

SIDS is the leading cause of death in babies after 1 month of age. It is the "sudden and unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant," according to the American SIDS Institute.

Damon's death exposed the illegal in-home day care operated by the Robertsons.

A judge subsequently barred them from providing care because they did not have a license and were caring for more children than would have been allowed.

Linda Stoller, director of child care licensing for Hillsborough County, said the Robertsons probably would not face any charges.

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